Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Live from RWA19

Good morning, Seekerville friends.

Today's post is a bit different from usual. Debby, Mindy, Winnie and I are at RWA19 in NYC along with a couple of thousand other writers, editors, and assorted publishing professionals. We're hoping to meet up with a lot of Villagers during the next few days.



I thought I'd take advantage of this opportunity to share some of the conference experiences with you, but the drawback is that, due to schedule changes, the conference doesn't really get kicking until this afternoon.

I'll be back to post photos as I can during the next few days, but while we're waiting for things to start up, let's talk about conferences in general.

There are two main types of conferences in the romance world - ones aimed at writers developing their craft, networking, and just letting loose away from their keyboards for a few days. RWA and ACFW are the two biggest, but there are so many regional gems as well.


The other kind of conferences are the ones focusing on readers. There have been a variety of these over the years, beginning with RT, but most people here are probably familiar with CFRR.

Some people don't have a chance to go to a conference, or choose not to, and make a vow to spend the time doing extra writing instead.

I'll be honest. I probably wouldn't be doing RWA this year given all that has been going on in my life, but I live here, so it would have been foolish to skip it.  I'm mourning the loss of writing time, but looking forward to meeting with my editor and seeing friends.


Let's chat about your experiences. Have you been to either type of conference? Which type do you prefer? I'd really love to know more about the conferences you've been to.
What are you looking for when you choose a conference?

One of the other issues that comes up at conference time is the whole introvert vs extrovert question. I absolutely love going to conferences with friends, but if I'm going to have to be around a bunch of strangers for days, it is not my happy place. If you can't find me, I'm probably off in a corner with a cup of coffee or tea.

Last week I was on a beach in Maine. Times Square is a whole nother world.




I'm also one of those people who actually does go to all the workshops because that's like being in school and I was good at that.
Others thrive on meeting new people and taking in as much of the excitement as possible. Which are you?

Does anyone have anything special they want to see from RWA19?


Check back later for photos.

And if you're here, please say hello and/or send me your photos to add to the blog. authorcatenolan@gmail.com


Please join in the conversation. RWA always has lots of free books and other swag, so I'll be putting some of it up for giveaways as I find it.


ETA: It really was a slow start today - you had your choice of two workshops
Anatomy of a Book Launch or Anatomy of a Scene with Lisa Cron.

Those of you who have read my previous Seekerville guest posts (both as Cate and Mary), will know that I love Lisa's insights into neuroscience and story. so I chose to attend hers. Also, hers was the one that supposedly was not being recorded (though that seems to have changed). It was an interesting three hour immersive workshop that took you through all the questions you should be asking yourself as you write a scene. For me, it was fascinating to compare her list with what I have done intuitively. If You've read her book, Story Genius, most of the workshop was probably covered in there, though she did say she had updated some.

Afterwards, it was off to dinner with members of the Faith, Hope & Love chapter of RWA.  I'm stuffed on Italian food, but had a great time chatting with so many friends.
Not much chance for pictures, but here are a few. Ignore me. I tend to break cameras. :)


Anatomy of a Scene with Lisa Cron

Mindy sends kisses.

With Dana R. Lynn

Pam and Tanya

Times Square - I really don't understand why people come here.




More to come tomorrow. I'll try to pick up some books at the Harlequin signing to offer to lucky readers.

46 comments:

  1. Cate, I am a conference nut and would go to one a month if I could. I get so much out of them, socially and craft-wise. I love the workshops and always come home energized and ready to take on a new project, or with renewed hope for the one I'm in. I made a very dear new friend at last year's ACFW, and also got to meet Seekers and Villagers face-to-face. I DO have a problem with the swag, I can't resist anything that's free. This year I may just mail a package home to myself. Then it will be like having conference twice, right?
    I relish anything like this -- writers' conferences, women's retreats, my denomination's annual meeting, seminars on anything. I love taking notes and the whole iron-sharpening-iron thing.
    Spinning plates today -- a little prep work for my nonfiction book, a little research for the third Western Dreams, a little research for my Christmas novella, some correspondence, setting up interviews for the day job. I try to do something on each project every day. This morning I was researching the lava fields near Taos, the '48 Gold Rush, and native American birthing customs.
    Also watching more TV than I should. INSP is running James Arness in his post-"Gunsmoke" series, "How The West Was Won." Two hours every night. I clock it off as more research, sigh.
    Hot here, then rain, then hot again. Hope to go to the beach Friday. Can do line edits under a beach umbrella if I have to.
    Back later,
    Kathy Bailey
    Making it all work in New Hampshire, wherever that is

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    1. Oh, edits under the beach umbrella. That calls my name, Kathy.
      Funny thing - last time RWA was in NYC, my editor and I were discussing why Amish fiction was so appealing. After a week in Times Square, I totally wanted to go live on an Amish farm.

      I live in NYC, but I avoid places like Times Square, Herald Square, Union Square - too crowded, too loud, too overwhelming. I'm thinking I will need another week in Maine when it's over.

      Seriously, I do look forward to the workshops. I'm planning to attend Lisa Cron's Anatomy of a Scene today and I'm really excited about those three hours! I'll have notebook and coffee in hand.

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    2. Kathy, I always get energized at conferences as well! You know, if you fly to a conference, it's a great idea to mail all the free books and stuff home. I got the great idea to take a flat-rate box (unassembled) to conference in my luggage so I can just drop it off at the post office or even the hotel business office to send home. It's such a great idea!

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  2. Right now I'm obsessed with early TV Westerns, and know of at least two stations that serve them up every day. Hey, it's better than the sludge and dreck being offered by Broadcast TV. Right now my palette consists of either classic Westerns or British crime dramas.
    Kaybee
    Chilling out in New Hampshire

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    1. I used to love watching Bonanza when I was a kid. Can't say I've watched many Westerns recently, but you've got me intrigued.

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  3. I've never been to a writing conference. I've gone to a few church leadership conferences and once I resigned myself to the fact that I'm spending a lot of time with a lot of people I don't know, then I got comfortable and enjoyed them. It takes a lot to work myself up to that, though. And adding a pitch session or trying to sell myself at a writing conference? I'm not sure I'll ever be up for that! :)

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    1. Glynis, at my first conferences, it nearly did me in! But as I met more people and started going to more conferences, it got much easier and enjoyable. It's gotten to where it feels almost like a family reunion now. :)

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    2. That's so true, Missy. Glynis, I flew to my first RWA in San Francisco when my daughters were 2 and less than a year. I knew no one, and am a major introvert, but people were so friendly, that I enjoyed myself anyway. Last time I went to RWA was almost 30 years later. I'd made so many writing friends over the years, that it was a totally different experience. SO much fun. But I still needed to sneak away to my room or a quiet corner to re-energize every once in a while.

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    3. I definitely see how that can happen. We just always need to be open to new experiences and meeting new people.

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    4. Hi Cate. I've never been to RWA, but hope to some day. My friend Lenora Worth is there too. Do you know her? I've been to Blue Ridge CWC, ACFW, and Mount Hermon. And Glynis, you might want to go to a smaller regional conference to get your feet wet. We have one near me in Andalusia, Alabama, the Blue Lake Christian Writers Retreat which is in March. I don't think that's near you, but I'm sure there are some.

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  4. I'm looking forward to photos!! I hope you all have a wonderful time! Wish I was there to see you all in person.

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  5. Good morning, Cate! I've been to ACFW several times(CO, MO, IN), Southwest Writers Conference (NM) several times, and Desert Dreams in Arizona (that's where I first met my now-agent), but have never made it to RWA. :( I love going to the workshops--like others of you, I always learn something new or am reminded of something I've forgotten, and always come away energized from being around other writers and "talking shop." And it's a MAJOR bonus when there are Seekers and Seeker Villagers in attendance, too!

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    1. Glynna, I too love going to all the workshops. I go to them at just about every session.

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    2. Hi Glynna. Seekers and Seeker Villagers make ALL the difference.

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  6. I would love to go to a conference but haven't been able to swing it yet. It's on my wish list for down the road. I am mostly an extrovert, though, so it's the kind of thing I can soak up.

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    1. Amy, I hope we can meet at one someday!

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    2. Sorry, Amy. I tried to answer you earlier and my phone was not cooperating. I really hope you do get to go one day.

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  7. I like leaving the ranch twice a year, crossing the mountains and staying in a hotel. That’s plenty of adventure for me without having to book a flight!
    I go to the Northwest Christian Writers Renewal which is small but great workshops and amazing keynotes. This past we had James Rubart and Frank Peretti. Last year was Rachel Hauck.
    The other one I go to is the Olympic Peninsula Christian Writer’s Conference where I met and took a workshop from someone I admire: Kate Breslin.
    See? Small, but wonderful conferences and since I get peopled our pretty quickly two days is plenty!
    I go to every workshop I can fit in and takes notes like a mad woman.

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    1. Dalyn, you're blessed to have those great conferences near you! I'm like you on taking notes like a mad woman. :)

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    2. Dalyn, that sounds perfect. As does your ranch. I've heard those conferences are very good.

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  8. I love going to conferences, too! There's something about spending a few days with people who "get" you. :-) And I'm a workshop nut. I always come away with a new idea to ponder and perhaps adopt into my writing.

    I love reader's conferences as well. Authors meeting readers and vice versa is just about the best thing ever!

    I have one small retreat scheduled for next year, and perhaps ACFW in St. Louis...but it all depends on the contracts. Someone has to fund the fun!

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    1. Jan, I was blessed this year to win $500 toward a conference from the Rafflecopter giveaway that Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi did when they released their new book. So that helps with the funding to make it do-able!

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    2. I was thinking today that I could easily become a conference junkie - except for that funding part. And the interfering day job, of course.

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    3. If I had the money, I could easily become a conference junkie too, Cate. I love taking classes, listening to keynotes and meeting all the other weird, I mean, people like me.

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  9. I would love to attend a conference as a reader and meet authors that I love. On my bucket list. Thank you for sharing.

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    1. Lucy, I hope you get to do that sometime! Reader events are great fun!

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    2. Lucy, years ago I used to go to the Romantic Times Reader/Writer conferences when they were much smaller and always in NYC. I hope to go to CFRR one day.

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  10. .
    "WORKSHOP:
    a place where you can shop for work."

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  11. Enjoy conference! One day I would love to attend a reader's conference. I also wouldn't mind doing some lobby lurking at the ACFW in San Antonio in September.

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    1. Caryl, I hope you will! I'd love to see you!

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    2. You should, Caryl. I wish I could go to San Antonio and see the Seeker friends I'm missing at RWA.

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  12. Hi Cate. Thanks for sharing what is going on at RWA. I know you will all have a great time. I am like you in that I am happy to go to conferences with people I know but am very introverted if I don't know anybody. I have gone to the Wordsowers' Writers Conference in Omaha a couple times. I do feel energized and excited about writing after I go. I really hope to be at ACFW in St. Louis next year since that is relatively close to me. I look forward to seeing your pictures.

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    1. That sounds fun, Sandy. I never get to go to ACFW because it's right after school opens.

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  13. I also meant to say I loved the video of the ocean in Maine. I love the ocean. Alas, I live in the middle of the country which is very far from any ocean.

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    1. Sandy, I really enjoyed that as well! I'm landlocked, too, and sure do love the beach.

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    2. I sometimes wonder if I could live away from the ocean. Just knowing it's close by refreshes me.

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  14. Would LOVE to attend RWA some time. Looking forward to your photos. Lee-Ann

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    1. I hope you do get to go, Lee-Ann. For all my nerves, as soon as I was sitting in the workshop, I felt right at home with people who get me.

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  15. Thanks for sharing your experiences at RWA!

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  16. Loved all of the pictures thank you.

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  17. Thanks for the photos, Cate!! I cracked up about your comment on Times Square. I AGREE!! After about 5 minutes of the coolness of the bright lights and fun (unusual) people, it's a nightmare for me. LOL

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  18. .
    Echoes of WWI:

    "How are you going to get them back on the farm after they've seen the bight lights of Broadway?"

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  19. Thanks for sharing photos. I agree with your comment on Times Square! Photos are enough for me. Lol Lee-Ann

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